By Mohamed Abdi - Reporter
Mogadishu, 13 September 2026 Somalia has opened a three-day conference bringing together diaspora leaders and federal government officials to develop a framework for strengthening the role of Somalis abroad in the country's development.
The Somali Diaspora Leaders Engagement Conference, which opened Sunday in Mogadishu, brings together 30 diaspora representatives from Europe, North America, the Middle East and Africa.
Deputy Foreign Minister Hassan Mohamed Ali ‘Nadaara’ formally opened the gathering, which is being convened by the Office of the Prime Minister in coordination with the Department of Diaspora Affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation. Foreign Ministry Permanent Secretary Hamza Adan Haadow also attended.At the center of the discussions is the development of a Diaspora Engagement Roadmap, intended to create a more structured approach for connecting the skills, professional networks and investment capacity of Somalis living abroad with national development priorities.
The proposed roadmap will be aligned with Somalia's National Transformation Plan 2025-2029, the government's broader framework for economic development, institutional reform and improved public services.
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Somalia has a large and economically influential diaspora whose remittances, investments and professional expertise have long played an important role in supporting households and businesses.
The conference seeks to move beyond that traditional role by establishing clearer channels through which diaspora communities can contribute expertise, investment and international networks to Somalia's longer-term development.The Office of the Prime Minister is leading the technical process, with support from the Foreign Ministry's Department of Diaspora Affairs.
The conference is expected to conclude with recommendations and an action plan outlining how the Somali diaspora can systematically contribute to the country's development, with a focus on investment, knowledge, professional expertise and international networks.